What is most likely upset in rivalry game?

For a team that fired its defensive coordinator midseason and got whacked by Middle Tennessee State and Brigham Young, Georgia Tech (6-5) is a very dicey opponent for Georgia (10-1).

First, the Dawgs might be looking ahead to the SEC title game against Alabama and a chance to reach the BCS title game. Second, Georgia must defend a triple-option offense that has been humming since coach Paul Johnson inserted Vad Lee at quarterback. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 47.7 points during their three-game roll, which includes a 68-50 victory at North Carolina.

Georgia and quarterback Aaron Murray may well exploit Tech's defense, but with the option, the Yellow Jackets are capable of controlling the clock and making the Dawgs very uncomfortable.

A lot is on the line when No. 4 Florida travels to Tallahassee to take on No. 10 Florida State. Besides the obvious bragging rights for the state of Florida, the Gators have an outside chance of playing in the BCS championship game.

Florida State, which has won the last two meetings by a combined score of 52-14, is looking to prove that it deserves to be considered an elite team in college football. A weak ACC and a horrible loss to N.C. State have hurt the Seminoles.

Both teams have defenses ranked in the top four in the country, but the Seminoles — who are 71/2-point favorites — also have the 14th-ranked offense. Florida is hoping injured quarterback Jeff Driskel can return to full strength before Saturday. If not, it could be a long day.

Georgia Tech has a slight chance to wreck Georgia's title dreams. Michigan has the talent to upend Ohio State in Columbus, and I'm not sure Oregon State should be a nine-point underdog at home against Oregon.

But my underdog pick, at least in terms of the BCS rankings, is No. 10 Florida State over No. 4 Florida. Word is injured quarterback Jeff Driskel is ready to return for Florida, but I can't remember a more inept offense being involved in a national title chase.

The key matchup here is Florida's No.104 offense going against Florida State's top-ranked defense. The Gators have an almost equally great defense (No. 4), but how are they going to score? Florida State, by contrast, is averaging 42 points per game.

Well, USC could do that to Notre Dame. Even with Irish stock surging and USC on the verge of bankruptcy, only a fool would assume a Notre Dame victory — especially with the Irish on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The USC threat speaks to the skill level of Trojans receivers Marqise Lee and Robert Woods and the promise of quarterback Max Wittek. And USC's nothing-to-lose attitude.